Sometimes, when I’m tired or a bit discouraged, I find some strength by thinking of a few sunflowers that grew outside my classroom….and here’s what they “say” to me about strength…
And so, in my mind, I image each part of the sunflower and think:
Stand tall
Back straight
Chin up
Face the sun
And oddly enough…after repeating those words several times and imagining each part of that tall strong sunflower as I repeat them, my posture straightens and I usually feel more courage, (stand tall) strength, (back straight) resilience (chin up) and optimism (face the sun).
And so…I think that’s some very good advice from the sunflower….
An added note: in the “About” section, above, I explained my observations and experience with the power and effectiveness of using metaphors and symbols in shifting perspectives…I think they function like a “back door” into the mind….I highly recommend coming up with metaphors that resonate…I find that they really help !
Pocket Perspectives 
Recently placed a sunflower in a pot on my back deck. Will step outside for some inspiration.
who’d have thought my potted plant would offer beauty…and advice…hmmm… 🙂
LikeLike
: ) Take good care of it…you never know when you’ll need that inspiration.
LikeLike
Oh I appreciate this so much. We have planted sunflowers in our classroom courtyard for the past two years, I now know why they tug at my heart.
Thank you. I needed this today.
LikeLike
It took me a few weeks of looking at those sunflowers…and taking dozens of pictures of them…before I realized why I was so inspired by them….but I finally figured it out. The 4th and 5th grade kids in my class were kind of funny as I was trying to figure it out….kind of “ohhhh, there she goes again….. “…but they loved the idea, too. I often imagine that sunflower and get some odd bits of strength from the ideas!….Happy to share…hope it helps…. : )
LikeLike
THats HUGE! haha love it!
LikeLike
It was about 3 meters tall….and 1/2 meter across….with a THICK stem holding it up…talk about “back straight!”
LikeLike
cool metaphors. =) sunflowers do speak a lot. =)
LikeLike
They do….I think they’re remarkable plants!
LikeLike
Pingback: May all our innate seeds of natural bravery….. | Pocket Perspectives